House Passes NHPRC Budget

June 28, 2007

On June 28, 2007, the House of Representatives approved (240-179) the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill (H.R. 2829).

The bill includes $10 million for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), for grants to states, local governments, universities, local historical societies, and others to help preserve and archive materials of historic significance. The Administration had sought to eliminate the NHPRC. The Committee Report (H. Rept. 110-207) accompanying the bill directs that the $10 million will be split $8 million for grants, with $2 million allocated for administrative costs.

The President’s proposed fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget had targeted the NHPRC for elimination. The $10 million reflects a $2.5 million increase over FY ’07.

The Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations’ Subcommittee has yet to announce a markup of its version of the bill.

The National Coalition for History (NCH) supports funding the NHPRC at the fully authorized level of $10 million, plus an additional $2 million for administrative expenses. We urge you to contact your Senators through our Humanities Advocacy Network to urge full funding for the NHPRC.